Kresta in the Afternoon

Throughout history more artwork has been dedicated to the life, death and resurrection of Christ than to any other figure. In the age of film, the most well-known example is probably Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. But of course there are many, many others. Monica Miller joins us with a look some of the best crucifixion scenes in film.

On March 29, 1973, the last US combat troops left South Vietnam following the release of the last US POWs from the infamous Hỏa Lò Prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton.” Earlier in the war, the prison held Air Force pilot James Shipley, who was shot down in 1967. He spent six years in the Hanoi prison camps, where he endured brutal torture. Yet somehow he found hope and became determined to help his fellow POWs survive. His stepdaughter, Amy Hawk, joins us with a riveting portrayal of life as an American POW on the other side of the world.

We know from Scripture that God instituted the tribes of Israel, and later instituted the Church. But since the First Century, the Palestinian Jewish authorities have missed Messiah – so how do we know the Church hasn’t suffered from similar errors? Why would God do for the Church what he failed to do for ancient Israel? Al discusses.

Christina Chase can't walk, sit up straight or feed herself. Her neck and back can't support her head. But she doesn't let that lead her into anger or despair. She sees herself as a 21st-Century Therese of the Little Flower - her "littleness" contains a great encounter with God's love. She joins us.

Music plays a vital role in any film – just imagine watching Star Wars without Vader’s Imperial March, or the Godfather without its iconic score. What if you were tasked with composing a musical accompaniment to the passion and death of Jesus? That’s what Mel Gibson asked John Debney to do. We spoke with John when the film premiered, and we look back on that interview today.

Wellness-minded people today are increasingly turning to intermittent fasting to bolster their health. But we aren’t the first people to abstain from eating for a purpose. This routine was a common part of our spiritual ancestors’ lives for 1,500 years. Jay Richards joins us with a look at the benefits of fasting and how Christians can develop a fasting lifestyle.

Marian devotion plays a special role in Catholic life. She appears in countless works of art, is the subject of hundreds of books, and is a central character in Mel Gibson’s film The Passion. But the Scriptures don’t often mention her. Do we overemphasize Mary? Al discusses.

“This is your cross, and I am not going to take it away from you. I will be with you, and I will help you, but it is yours to carry.” Christy Wilkens heard Jesus speak those words after she prayed for her son Oscar’s healing in her parish adoration chapel one bright September day. Almost a year later she would find herself in Lourdes, France, seeking a miracle. And while her son did improve, that was not the only healing that occurred. She tells the story.

Poland has become a hotbed for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. Fr. Patrick Briscoe has just returned from a visit to Poland to see how Churches there are helping in the relief effort. He gives us a report.

On the solemnity of the Annunciation, local dignitaries, priests, religious, and two archbishops were on hand to mark the inauguration of ACI MENA, an Arabic-language Catholic news agency that is the newest part of the EWTN Network. Michael Warsaw tells us how it came to be.